Griffin wins coveted Heisman

Agence France-Presse

NEW YORK - Quarterback Robert Griffin III became the first Baylor University player to win US college football's coveted Heisman Trophy on Saturday, beating highly touted Stanford signal-caller Andrew Luck.

The talented Griffin, known as RG3, began the season under the Heisman radar on a marginal team, as Luck was forecast to be a potential top pick in the NFL draft.

"This is unbelievably believable," Griffin said as he accepted the award as college football's outstanding player.

"It's unbelievable because in the moment we're all amazed when great things happen. But it's believable because great things don't happen without hard work."

Luck received 247 first-place votes and 1,407 points and became the fourth player to finish runner-up in the voting in consecutive seasons.

Luck, who lost out to Cam Newton last year, was the first to congratulate Griffin.

"Very much well deserved," Luck said.

University of Alabama running back Trent Richardson was third with 138 first-place votes and 978 points.

Griffin thrust himself into Heisman contention with a series of spectacular plays, including a long touchdown pass with eight seconds remaining that lifted Baylor to victory over the University of Oklahoma.

He completed 72 percent of his passes for 3,998 yards with 36 touchdown passes.

He helped Baylor to one of the best seasons in its history. The Bears' 9-3 record marked their first nine-win season in 25 years.

"Everybody associated with Baylor has a reason to celebrate tonight," Griffin said.

They won all four of their games in November and beat Oklahoma for the first time. Baylor fans are hoping he returns for his senior season rather than opting to head to the NFL.